Healthy Workplace Principles

What constitutes a healthy workplace?

A healthy workplace culture leads to high morale when it is intentionally shaped, bought into, and lived by all employees. The Healthy Department Certification strives to redefine wellness as: 

"Not only just the state or condition of being in good physical and mental health, but an environment that enables and empowers a diverse population to improve physical health, mental well-being, social participation, and human performance. One in which individuals are able to make healthy choices within an environment that values, provides, and promotes options supportive of health and well-being for everyone." ~wellsteps 

Healthy Workplace Principles

The following areas are important to consider when determining the degree to which your work environment maintains health and wellness practices and structures:  

  • Wellness Leadership and Organizational Support: Department leadership sets examples and social norms that foster a healthy workplace culture.
  • Department Managers and SupervisorsManagers and supervisors create a healthy work environment, support staff in achieving and maintaining healthier lifestyles, and address workplace health and safety issues.
  • Department Culture: Individuals are supported to make healthy choices within an environment that values, provides, and promotes options that are supportive of health and well-being for everyone.
  • Equity and Inclusion: A healthy department should embrace as a core value a diverse and equitable community that fosters creativity, innovation, and space for inclusiveness.
  • Stress Management and Emotional Health: Department culture fosters social connection and support in the workplace and promotes healthy work/life principles and resources. 
  • Wellness and Sustainability: The Built EnvironmentThe physical workplace provides accessible infrastructure in support of healthy eating, active commuting, exercising, and emotional well-being in the workplace. 
  • Ergonomics: Employees can work safely by adhering to the recommended ergonomic guidelines for computer and non-computer users.
  • Food EnvironmentThe department culture ensures healthy food options are included during meetings, potlucks, and celebrations.
  • Physical ActivityDepartment culture supports various opportunities for faculty/staff to be physically active and take movement breaks throughout the day.
  • SafetyA healthy department should provide a safe workplace that prioritizes emergency preparedness and a hazard-free work environment in support of the health and well-being of faculty/staff.